It's the last thing Green Bay Packers fans wanted to hear.
Second-year running back MarShawn Lloyd has suffered another heartbreaking injury setback. He injured his hamstring on a 33-yard reception that reminded everyone of his talent in the preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. Matt LaFleur gave a cryptic response after the game, but he has now provided more details.
"He's going to miss some time," LaFleur told reporters on Sunday. "He's had to fight through a lot of adversity and hopefully, he can rebound from this and we can get him back at some point in time."
MarShawn Lloyd injury leaves Packers with a tough roster decision at running back
LaFleur didn't give a specific timeline on Lloyd's return, but it's concerning, given his history of hamstring injuries. His vague answer of getting Lloyd back "at some point in time" didn't sound too optimistic, but only time will tell.
The first question is whether the Packers believe he can return relatively soon or if a stint on injured reserve is the inevitable option.
Lloyd has battled some of the worst injury luck since arriving in Green Bay a year ago. He was sidelined for almost all of last season due to ankle and hamstring injuries, while also missing significant time due to appendicitis. Lloyd missed this year's preseason opener due to a groin issue, and this hamstring injury will now keep him out of action again.
He was one of only two roster locks at running back alongside Josh Jacobs. We can probably add at least one of Chris Brooks or Emanuel Wilson to that list now.
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Brooks only played nine snaps in the second preseason game, an indication he is part of the Packers' plans. Wilson looked good in his return from injury, rushing for 33 yards on just five carries while adding a 32-yard reception.
It gets complicated if Lloyd is only in line for a relatively short absence. What if he has a chance to return early in the regular season? Do the Packers place him on IR or find room on the 53-man roster? That would likely mean keeping four backs on the initial 53.
What about preseason standout Israel Abanikanda? He put in an impressive 12-carry performance against the Colts while also returning five kicks. His special teams value increases his chances of making the 53.
Then there is undrafted rookie Amar Johnson, who received a baffling lack of playing time in preseason Week 2 but still found the end zone for the second game in a row. Through two weeks, he's up to 89 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts, an impressive 6.4 yards-per-carry average.
Johnson looked like the Packers' next Aaron Jones in the preseason opener, an underrated running back who has acceleration, balance, and home-run ability. He showed some power to push through tackles on his way to the end zone against Indianapolis.
Can the Packers afford to lose both Abanikanda and Johnson on waivers, or should they find a way to keep at least one of their preseason standouts on the 53? The uncertainty over Lloyd's status complicates things.
Jacobs is a roster lock, but the Packers must now determine who joins him on the 53. We can assume Wilson and Brooks are close, but will Green Bay also make room for Abanikanda or Johnson? What's next for Lloyd?
Tough decisions await, but much could depend on how much time Lloyd will miss.